It’s OK to lose your inhibitions as long as you’re safe, and it’s for a good cause. Returning for their sixth year, the Ultimate Cocktail Experience is set to wet whistles on September 30^th.  Once again, this charitable event will benefit Triggers for Toys, helping to bring together brand distributors, incredible bartenders and consumers for an evening of innovative cocktails. Raising over $200,000 last year the organization was created to help in reducing the financial burdens of chronically ill children.

This year, UCE will keep the cocktails flowing with six unique bar concepts that will represent different parts of the world. Bartenders must show off their skills and produce one classic cocktail and one mocktail, aka non-alcoholic beverage during this year’s competition. With its return to Klyde Warren Park for the second year, event founder Bryan Townsend of The 86 Co., answered a few questions on what to expect from UCE 2017.

How do you come up with the different bar concepts each year?

We sat down and made a list of the hottest, yet, most iconic cities for cocktails in the entire world.  Make no mistake, this was not an easy task, but we had to look at the cities that paved the way for the movement we are now seeing.  Some of the cocktails we are serving this year date back centuries!  It’s so special and we are so honored to be able to do something like this and I hope each person feels the passion and history we are trying to convey with the cocktails and décor that will be showcased.

Each year’s UCE is so creative and different. How do you plan on making this year even more unforgettable?

The BARTENDERS! Each team is so incredibly creative and does so much homework on the history of their city.  It’s quite incredible the passion they have for their city and this event.  I’m in awe of what they are able to create and they actually are able to make you feel you are visiting that particular part of the world.   I actually don’t know what décor they have chosen this year.  I want to be as surprised as everyone else!

How were you able to get Ash Hauserman, Iain Griffiths, Erza Star and Mitch Bushell interested in this year’s UCE?

I can’t even put into words what that means to me. They actually called me to tell me!  I think the main reason is the fact that I am so open about where the money goes, how massive this event has grown and the integrity that is behind it. 100% of the proceeds go to Trigger’s Toys, but I also take it steps further to be 100% transparent and even SHOW them where the money is going and the families they are helping specifically.  To think that people of this stature and caliber would come to our event is so humbling I could not even try to put into words.  It’s simply an honor.

This is the second year UCE has been held at Klyde Warren Park, are you planning on keeping the event there permanently?

The folks at Klyde Warren Park have been so incredible to work with. They are such amazing people and the setting is so incredible.  I hope we can continue this tradition…I really do.  I am actually quite vocal about the people I want to work with because it’s charity first, second, third, tenth etc.  I only want to be associated with people that get the message and then we can discuss the event.  The people over at Klyde Warren are absolutely fantastic and I’m proud we are even associated with them much less them letting us hold our event in their beautiful space.  Erika White was the first person I was able to discuss my vision and she has been 100% supportive since day 1.  I never thought I would be able to hold this event in that space. I really love that team!

What’s been the most rewarding experience in creating Triggers for Toys?

The families we help.  It’s given my life more meaning than I could ever put into a thousand lifetimes.  Never in a million years did I ever think I would be here raising over a million dollars in 5 yrs.  I seriously just wanted to do some volunteer work on my own for me and look where we are.  Now, I have a responsibility to those who support us and even more so to my 2 daughters who are 3 and 5 yrs old  to show them what hard work, dedication and love can do if you just put your heart into it.  Charity and Philanthropy are gifts.  I’m not a wealthy man,  but I have gained more in life than any multi-millionaire on the planet by creating Trigger’s Toys. I do it proudly with my wife standing right beside me, who is 100% involved.  Actually, she is in front of me where she should be because she is so incredible with this mission as well.  Giving away the money is an incredible responsibility.  I’m proud I can say I do it for the right reasons and give the money directly to those who need it.  To do it with my family involved is even more special.

What goal have you set for this year’s event?

We hope to raise more than $200,000 in 1 night!  I can’t even believe I can even say that!  It’s just crazy that we are even here.  I owe so much to the bartenders who are basically family at this point and to the brands who have rallied behind us.

Would you like to add anything else to this interview?

I think the kindness of the Hospitality Industry goes overlooked at times. When crisis hits, from my experience they are the first ones rallying everyone to raise money to assist others.  I’m not sure of any other industry that does as much as they do together. We are family.  The next time you are at a bar or restaurant remember, the people preparing your food, pouring your drinks or welcoming you are some of the kindest most genuine people in the world.  I’m proud to call all of them friends.  This event is a testament to them as much as it is the families we are helping. TXMB